Laos & Vietnam: Temples, Vespas & The Mekong – 11 Days / 10 Nights

Day 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang
Day 2: Luang Prabang
Day 3: Luang Prabang
Day 4: Luang Prabang - Flight to Hanoi
Day 5: Ha Noi
Day 6: Ha Noi – Ha Long/Lan Ha Bay
Day 7: Ha Long – Ha Noi – Flight to Da Nang – Hoi An
Day 8: Hoi An – Hue
Day 9: Hue – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure

Interested for a longer trip? Check out Vietnam Luxury Honeymoon (15d/14n)

DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN LUANG PRABANG

Arrive in Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver for a private transfer to your hotel in the city center.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure to relax or stroll around the quiet, heritage-lined streets.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 02: LUANG PRABANG (B/L/-)

Optional early start to witness the moving ritual of the morning almsgiving ceremony with saffron-clad monks — a unique Lao tradition. Enjoy a short morning walk through the UNESCO Old Town and visit the vibrant local markets before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center to learn about the diverse hill tribes of Northern Laos. Continue to the graceful Wat Xieng Thong, the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang, followed by the former Royal Palace (National Museum) and Wat Mai, renowned for its five-tiered golden roof.

In the afternoon, drive to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls. Walk along forest trails, take a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools, and admire the multi-tiered cascades surrounded by lush jungle scenery.
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 03: LUANG PRABANG (B/-/-)

After breakfast, embark on a relaxing Mekong River cruise aboard a traditional long-tail boat. Enjoy serene mountain views and observe the rhythm of rural riverside life. Stop at Ban Xang Khong village to see traditional silk weaving on wooden looms.

Continue upstream to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, where thousands of Buddha statues fill the limestone chambers at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers.
Lunch will be served onboard at the foot of dramatic cliffs before cruising back to Luang Prabang.

In the evening, experience an authentic Baci ceremony — a Lao spiritual ritual calling for harmony and good fortune, often held for guests and travelers.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 04: LUANG PRABANG – FLIGHT TO HANOI (B/L/-)

After breakfast, take part in an engaging hands-on session at the Bamboo Experience. Learn about the many uses of bamboo in Lao life, try your hand at simple weaving, and join a traditional cooking demonstration featuring bamboo-inspired dishes.
Enjoy your creations for lunch in a tranquil rural setting overlooking rice fields.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. Upon arrival, your driver will escort you to your hotel in the Old Quarter.
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 05: HANOI SIGHTSEEING AND STREET FOOD TOUR (B/-/D)

After breakfast, visit the Temple of Literature — Vietnam’s first university (1076), symbolizing the country’s scholarly heritage. Continue to Ba Dinh Square to view the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and other colonial landmarks.
Later, explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed Monday) for insight into the country’s 54 ethnic groups.

In the afternoon, stroll through the Old Quarter’s “36 streets” and around Hoan Kiem Lake, followed by an authentic Hanoi street food experience. Sample famous local dishes such as Nom bò khô (green papaya salad), Bánh mì, and sweet treats like Chè or Hoa quả dầm.
Dinner with your food tour.
End your day with a glass of Bia Hơi (draft beer) at Ta Hien corner or an iconic egg coffee at a hidden café.
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 06: HANOI – HA LONG – LAN HA BAY (B/L/D)

Depart at 08:30 through the Red River Delta to Tuan Chau Pier for embarkation on your overnight Lan Ha Bay cruise.
Lunch will be served as you sail past thousands of limestone islets rising from emerald waters.

Afternoon activities include kayaking, swimming, or simply relaxing on the sundeck while enjoying the scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dinner of fresh seafood served onboard.
Overnight on the cruise.

*Note: The cruise itinerary may vary depending on weather and operating conditions.*

DAY 07: HA LONG – HANOI – FLIGHT TO DA NANG – HOI AN (B/Brunch/-)

Start your morning with a light breakfast as the ship cruises gently back toward the pier. Enjoy a scenic brunch onboard while admiring the limestone formations.
Disembark and transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, continue to Hoi An, the ancient trading town.
Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 08: HOI AN (B/L/-)

Hop on a vintage Vespa tour through the peaceful countryside of Hoi An. Cross to Cam Kim Island and visit local homes, an ancestral house, and a traditional boat-building yard.
Meet artisans weaving sleeping mats and making crispy bánh đập rice crackers.
Stop for a local Vietnamese coffee and continue along a scenic coastal road with views of the Thu Bon River before lunch at a nearby restaurant.

In the afternoon, stroll through the Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO). Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese Assembly Hall, and old merchant houses.
End the day with tea at the Reaching Out Tea House — a serene social enterprise supporting hearing-impaired artisans.
Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 09: HOI AN – DA NANG – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY (B/-/-)

Free time at leisure before transfer to Da Nang Airport for your short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, begin a guided city tour exploring its vibrant districts.
Visit the FITO Museum (Traditional Vietnamese Medicine) or the War Remnants Museum, depending on your interest.

Continue to Do Phu Café, once a secret base for the Liberation Army, and see the preserved weapon bunker used in the 1968 Tet Offensive.
Enjoy coffee before heading to Van Phat Pagoda in Chinatown, famous for its ten thousand Buddha statues.
End your tour at the Saigon Central Post Office and along Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi Streets, icons of the city’s colonial charm.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 10: HO CHI MINH CITY – BEN TRE (B/L/D)

Leave the city behind and drive to Ben Tre, the gateway to the Mekong Delta.
From Ham Luong Pier, take a private boat through palm-lined canals to visit a brick kiln, coconut workshops, and a sleeping-mat weaver’s home for tea and tropical fruit.

Continue by xe lôi (motor cart) or bicycle through tranquil countryside lanes lined with rice fields.
Lunch with local specialties such as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp.
In the afternoon, paddle a sampan through narrow canals shaded by water palms before reaching your Ben Tre homestay.

Evening hands-on cooking class to prepare bánh xèo pancakes, followed by a home-style dinner. Relax with a traditional lemongrass and ginger foot bath.
Overnight in Ben Tre.

DAY 11: BEN TRE – HO CHI MINH CITY – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

After breakfast, set off on a gentle cycling trip around Oc Island, passing fruit orchards and local markets. Cross the Mekong by ferry to explore village paths and visit a fish farm to learn about cá tra and cá basa species.

Return to your homestay to freshen up and relax until check-out at noon.
Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City for your departure flight.